Writing.Com General Discussion

Good question. I'm not sure there is one answer, for me. I think I enjoy the things I am good at because I've been encouraged to do more of them. So, I loved dancing in my younger days, and because I was good at it, people encouraged me to do more, and so I did. And I loved it. So, maybe I had a natural enjoyment, but also I was encouraged because of that.

So, things I'm not good at. I was raised to be embarrassed by my shortfalls. I had a huge sense of shame at things like my artwork and ability (or lack thereof) at athletics. Especially my lack of artwork. I hated art classes and dropped the subject as soon as I was allowed. I hated that I wasn't artistic, and I often lamented my lack of ability. But, maybe, because I didn't persevere with it, I never gave myself the chance to get any better.

And then, there is music. Along with writing, music is my life. I am passionate about it. But I grew up embarrassedly my singing voice. Dad used to make fun of me when I was little, trying to get me to sing better. It made me terribly self-conscious about my voice (which, actually, wasn't all that bad). I never sang in front of others as a consequence. In school, I joined the choir because I loved to be surrounded by music, but I always mimed for fear of being thrown out. However, when on my own, I sang constantly. I loved singing. I wish I had thrown my self-conscience aside and just belted out the songs.

I think what I'm saying is my mindset has always been to feel ashamed of the thing I am not good at. This has often prevented me from doing things I enjoy, and that is not how it should be. No one should be made to feel inadequate because they aren't as good at the 100M hurdles as the shot put. You know? That's just wrong.